Morris tribune., 1887-05-18
MEMORIAL DAY.
National Orders of the G. A. R. Regarding
Observance Of Decoration DAY.

Tie following orders have 80" i,-
sued from the National Headquarters
at Madison, Wis, of the Grand Army
of the Republic, regarding tiseobsefy-
ance of Decoration Day this year:
Madison, Wis, April 10, 1887
General Orders, No. IL:
Nineteen years ago the thsn Gpa.-
mander-in-C Chief of the Gra, Al 7Nriiiy
of the Republic In General Orders,
set apart the 3Oth day M M''y and
suggested that Ii be .collsecrated to
the memory of the fallen soldiers Of
the nation. .... -.
This being the first Memorial Day
occurence since his death, the Com.
mander-in-C Chief asks that the elo-
quent and appropriate words Of
General Orders No. IL, 1858, uttered
by that illustrious soldier and beloved
comrade John A. Logan be again
taken as inspiration and guidance for
the 30th day of May, 1887.
HEADQUARTERS GRAND
ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC(
Washington, ID. c., May 5. 1858
General Orders, No. IL.
/. !. The 30th of May, 1865, is desig-
mated for the purpose of strewing with
flowers or otherwise decorating the
graves of comrades who died in de-
fence of their country during the late
rebellion. and whose bodies new, liza
in almost every city, village and ham
let churchyard in the land. In this
observance 10 form of ceremony is
prescribed, but posts ami comrades
will in their own way arrange such
fitting services and testimonials OF
respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our
Regulations tell us, for the purpose,
among other things, "of preserving
and strengthening those kind and
fraternal feelings which KAYE bound
together the soldiers, eti!nIS aud ma
rlnes who united to suppress the late
rebelIi0n." What can aid more to
assure this result than eherishing
tenderly the memory Of our heroic
dead, who made their breasts a bar
ricade between our country and its
foes? Their soldiers lives were the
reveile of freedom to a race in chains,
and their death the tattoo of rebellious
tyranny in arms. We should guard
their graves with sacred vigilance.
All that the consecrated wealth and
taste of the nation can add to their
adornment and security is but fit
ing tribute to the memory of her slain
defenders. Let 10 WantOn foot tread
rudely on such haliowed grounds.
Let pleasant paths invite the coming
and going of reyerent visitors and
fond mourners. Let no vandalism of
avarice or neglect, no ravages of time
testify to the present or to the coming
generations that we have forgotten
as people the cost of a free and undi-
vided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and other
hands slack, and other hearts cold in
the solemn trust, ours shall keep it
well as long as the light and warmth
of life remain to us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed
gather around their sacred remains
and garland the passionless mounds
above them with the choicest flowers
Of springtime; let us raise above them
the dear old flag they saved from dis
honor; let us in this solemn presence
renew our pledges to aid and assist
those whom they have left among us
a sacred charge upon a nations graft
tude-the soldiers and SAILORS widow
and orphan.
II. 1t is the purpose of the Conn
mander-in-Chie to inaugurate this
observance with the hope that it will |
be kept up from yearto year, while a
survivor OF the war remains to honor |
the memory of bis departed comrades. |
III. Department Commanders will |
use every effort to make this order
effective.
By command of John A, Logan,
Commander-in-Oh
n. P. CHAPMAN, Adj't Gen.
By command of Lucius Fairchild,
Commander-in-Chi
10, B, GRAY, AdJt Gen,